Everybody Needs a Barnabas!

Job 3; Job 4; Acts 8; Acts 9

Scripture

Acts 9: 19-27 “Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" 22Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ…..

26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.”

Observation

Saul was on the road to Damascus when he met Jesus! His conversion experience was dramatic! He immediately began to preach Jesus and the Jews immediately tried to kill him. The disciples didn’t trust or believe him since a few days earlier he was killing Christians and throwing believers in prison.

Barnabas came to Paul’s rescue and spoke up for Paul. They became missionary partners and eventually the duo “Barnabas and Paul” changed to “Paul and Barnabas”! If it hadn’t have been for Barnabas, Paul possibly would have been a “nobody”.


Application

The new Christian that we help grow may become the next Billy Graham, or the mayor of our city, or a missionary, we never know! Find a new believer to mentor and help them grow in Christ!


Prayer

Heavenly Father, bring into my life someone that needs to grow in Christ. Help me encourage new believers to grow! May we have some “Pauls” come out of our fellowship! I pray for people to be saved this week through the ministry of our people.



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